AllFreeNovel
Share Us
F O R T Y F I V E
- Madeline -
I stretched across my bed, my limbs quivering like a cat’s as I released a massive yawn. Then I reached for my blinking phone, read Kiki’s text saying she got home safe, and clocked that it was quarter to ten. Not bad. Pretty decent night’s sleep actually, considering how late she and I stayed out after Steve called it a night.
That said, I probably could’ve lain around for another hour feeling soggy and braindead if I weren’t so ferociously thirsty. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and yawned again as I reached for the bottle of water on my nightstand. It was only when I began unscrewing the cap that I remembered the rest of my night, remembered Quinn waiting up for me, apologizing.
An asshole who loves you.
Could I have dreamt that? It seemed so real. I could remember the strain I felt in my heart, the heat in my cheeks. I hadn’t gone too easy on him, but I’d also wanted to jump his bones. Yet he’d sent me to bed alone, to sleep on it. Definitely a dream. My heart sank. I couldn’t believe I still wanted him so bad I’d tried to work it out in my sleep… And still ended up getting rejected!
An asshole who loves you.
I chugged half the water bottle, marveling at how real that particular sentence felt. I could even hear his voice in my head when I thought about it. I swung my feet off the bed, headed to the bathroom, and fumbled for the light switch on the wall. On my way to the toilet, I glanced in the mirror to see how frightful I looked, but my reflection was hidden. By an envelope. An envelope that said Sleeping Beauty on it.
I grabbed it off the mirror and dragged my fingers across the words, which were written with some kind of fancy fountain pen, so each letter had a romantic flourish on it that made the letter seem straight out of a fairy tale. When I turned it over, it was sealed with wax. It wasn’t blood red wax like in the movies, though. Instead, it was a muted beige color, much like the candle in the sitting room. A quick sniff revealed that it also smelled like vanilla, and on closer inspection, I realized that “someone” had stuck their thumb print into the melted blob before it hardened.
All will be revealed.
Perhaps I hadn’t dreamed the whole conversation, dreamed him kissing me on the forehead. Dreamed him saying he wanted another chance.
I slid my finger along the seal, so the cheap wax crumbled into the sink, and opened the folded note inside.
Dear Sleeping Beauty,
An aspiring nobleman seeks permission to woo the lady of the house. Please respond to his request before the clock strikes midnight tonight by circling your answer below.
Permission granted.
Permission refused.
Kind regards,
Your favorite court jester
Ps—do not let your decision be swayed by the fresh Cinnabons on the kitchen counter
I smiled at the note, reading it several more times before digging a lipstick from my makeup bag and drawing a clear circle around the “permission granted” option. Then I shoved the note back in the envelope, tiptoed across the common area, and slid it under his door while my heart sang high notes in my chest.
I peeked at the fragrant Cinnabons on the counter then, my mouth soaking itself when I realized they were still warm and gooey. Then I hurried back to the bathroom for a long overdue pee so I could feast on them without interruption. But as soon as I flicked the faucet off, I heard my phone ringing on the other side of the wall.
When I saw it was James and not Quinn, I felt guilty for being disappointed. But I rebounded quickly and answered before I missed the call, my first words of the day scratching out my throat.
“Hey,” he said. “Did I wake you?”
“No.” I shook my head and cleared my throat. “First words of the day after a night out. You know how it is.”
He laughed like he knew all too well. “Who were you out with?”
“Kiki and her fiancé, Steve.”
“Shits-with-the-door-open Steve?”
“One and the same, though I think he needs a new nickname since he’s sticking around.”
“She’s marrying him?!”
I shrugged and sat on the edge of my bed. “Seems he’s cleaned up his act a little. I don’t get it myself, but I’m trying to be happy for them.”
